My ten year experience on bringing out real world friends to the burn is mostly fail. They usually fall into two fail categories; Sparkle Pony or "OK, done this, it's off my bucket list".

A couple folks made it through with a "let's do this again" but most don't.

Over time, most of the "friends" are no longer friends.

I live in Los Angeles and a big chunk of burners here is the "post raver millitant PLUR nuveau hippie self help I'm a DJ namaste motherfucker" types. There is always Gigsville crowd but just don't jive with the pure fuckoism either. This all leads to a segregation of my Playa friends and real world friends.

My bottom line on Playa induction:

Don't do it. Not worth the effort and likely to epic fail. Burning Man is NOT for most people.

If you are trying to convince your BFF to go, your really looking for a personal security blanket. Fuck the wubby and grow some hair on them peaches.

Yeah, he isn't going. Ever. My boyfriend and a good friend from Google-land in Cali who is incredibly self reliant and awesomely helpful are my campmates. Reading over everything as much as I have I agree with most of you. Its not for everyone.

Don't get down on yourself Ygmir, on "that other board" there was a WOW thread and I also had no idea what it was. I thought at first it was from the old Opie and Anthony Show "Whip'em Out Wednesday" when ladies would flash themselves on the freeway. Sadly that wasn't it either. Though it oughtta be.

I kinda worry about bringing my boyfriend, because he is a procrastinator. He's not very inclined to take the lead on things like improving my shade structure from last year, creating costumes, getting a bike, or things like that. He LOVES the heat but refuses to wear a hat and has to be coaxed into putting on sunscreen, and likes to drink all day at festivals up here. So, I worry that he will overdo it on the Playa, thinking he can handle it, and go down like a sack of potatoes.

So.. I dunno. I know he will love it but he doesn't take initiative to prepare. When does the new survival guide come out again?? Lol.

Also, I think we need to experiment with actually getting a good night's sleep before pack-up.. the last 3 festivals were just torture getting packed up on little to no sleep. We fought like cats. But at least by the end of the summer we have our gear figured out and can basically do it on autopilot

Ah, it'll be fine. I just need to stop pulling and let him figure his own stuff out. It'll all be good! As long as he still gives me a couple days on my own on-playa

Careful, careful, careful. We can be quite blind about the ones we love. "Knowing" that your boyfriend will love it doesn't count as real knowledge. 2002 to 2006 I went, one way or another, to please my husband and had a miserable time. (No regrets, now that I know the end to that story.) It was only when I started attending for my own self that I grew to be a crazy desert rat.
The playa can be very hard on relationships, and expectations and blind spots are a part of that. Thought you'd want to know ahead of time.

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

Though this year will be my first burn, so far I feel like it's been easy to tell who I would enjoy bringing along with me.

They're the ones who, when they hear me rambling about Burning Man, say something like "That sounds fucking awesome," and starts figuring out what they'd need to do if they wanted to go.

On the other hand, I also have friends where I think "Well, they're a really good friend, and I'd love for them to go," but there's something in the back of my mind that says "They wouldn't like it," or "They'd flake out."

Also, the people who still seem psyched about going after they've read all the stuff in the survival guide

Very entertaining thread, indeed We (COFFEE CAMP) have aquired 1 new campmate a year the last two years (eventually working up to a 10 person rad camp!) It's a camp deceision (for personality mix & flow) and is someone who naturally, willingly wants to go (no "kinda-sorta/maybe want to go" types--if ya have to beg someone to go, than you're trying to hard There is always a huge amount of respect/communication at camp--care about eachother's well being, and are big fans and supporters to others ideas. Have to be someone you can sincerely look upon like you do for yourself...e n j o y---
"One coffeecup for all, All for onecoffeecup"

COFFEE CAMP: "The Social Hub of the Uncivilized World"
"Remember- Drink coffee...it's for your own good"
"DRINK IT!"
"...it's only just begun."
"To Percolate & Serve."

Also, the people who still seem psyched about going after they've read all the stuff in the survival guide

Yeah, I was at my 20yr reunion and was talking about Burningman and a friend saw the Guide, and a a couple of copies of the Be(a)con. And Said Hell yeah! he's been calling and asking if I think He should bring this or that. Virgins, you guys are so cute.

.......................................................................................Oh yeah, this year I was totally twerping out at the fence. ~Lonesombri

I"ve never been to a regional, but there are plenty of real reasons not to like the burn.
I myself can be quite sensitive about noise; there are restaurants I don't eat at because listening to the clatter really bugs me. I'm not good in crowds, either. Heat or other weather. Introversion. Not liking drunks and e-tards.

It simply isn't a universal experience, although large festivals do seem to be a basic option in human societies. I just wish we were a little better at understanding taht it's not for everyone.

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

Okay, yeah. I checked out the new Dick Blick, ate something horrible in the food court, took the wacky private elevator to BART and proceeded to block it all out of memory.
Sorry, I would have loved to chat...

Edited for grammar.

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri